Pottstown man admits to Perkiomen burglary

NORRISTOWN — A Pottstown man potentially faces state prison time after he admitted to burglarizing a Perkiomen home of “numerous items of jewelry and electronics,” according to court papers.

Demiterius Antione Upchurch, 23, whose last known address was in the first block of East Second Street, pleaded guilty in Montgomery County Court to a felony burglary charge in connection with the December 2011 break-in at a home along Salem Road in Perkiomen.

Judge Garrett D. Page deferred sentencing so that court officials can complete a background investigative report about Upchurch, who faces a possible maximum sentence of 10-to-20-years in prison on the charge. Upchurch, who also listed an address in the 900 block of Thomas Street, Norristown, remains in the county jail without bail pending sentencing.

An investigation began on Dec. 19, 2011, when a Salem Road woman reported to State Police at Skippack that her home was burglarized that day.

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“According to (the victim) someone entered her residence and stole numerous items of jewelry and electronics valued at $4,700,” state police Trooper John Becker alleged in the criminal complaint.

The stolen items included two Apple iPods, men’s and women’s watches, several diamond rings, and various gold jewelry including earrings and necklaces, according to the arrest affidavit.

State police who photographed and processed the scene of the break-in “discovered multiple latent prints found inside the residence,” the criminal complaint indicated. The prints were submitted to the state police crime lab for analysis and comparison through the Pennsylvania Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS).

The analysis determined that the left middle finger, left index finger and right ring finger of Upchurch were identified from the prints found inside the home, according to the arrest affidavit.

The victims told police that they did not know Upchurch and that he would have had no reason to be inside their home.

Other charges of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and criminal trespass are slated to be dismissed against Upchurch at time of sentencing, according to court papers.

About the Author

Carl Hessler Jr. writes about crime and justice at the Montgomery County Courthouse for The Mercury and 21st Century Media Newspaper’s Greater Philadelphia area publications. A native of Reading, he studied at Penn State University and Kutztown University before graduating from Alvernia University with a degree in communications. He is a recipient of a National Headliner Award and has been honored for his writing by the Keystone Press Association, Philadelphia Press Association, Society of Professional Journalists and the Associated Press Managing Editors of Pennsylvania. Reach the author at chessler@pottsmerc.com
or follow Carl on Twitter: @MontcoCourtNews.